The event, titled "Extended Advocacy Meeting to Address the Urgent Needs of IDPs and Conflict-affected Women and Youth," was held at Tbilisi Rooms Hotel. It was organized by UN Women Georgia and civil society partner organizations, including the Association of Internally Displaced Women "Consent," Women's Information Center, and Women's Fund "Sukhumi."
Representatives from national and local government, as well as the Public Defender, took part in the event. This included attendees from the National Association of Local Self-Governments of Georgia, local authorities from target municipalities. Additionally, international organizations, donor organizations operating in Georgia, international non-governmental organizations focusing on the agenda of women, peace, and security, the private sector - companies that have endorsed the principles of women's empowerment, local women's organizations, and community leaders among internally displaced and conflict-affected women, were present at the meeting.
The meeting centered around the key activities outlined in the National Action Plan and the well-being of internally displaced and conflict-affected women and youth residing along the dividing line and in IDP settlements.
The Gender Equality Council (GEC) introduced the presentation of the Report on “Implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Georgia”, introduced by Council member, Teona Akubardia. The presentation was held on September 27 symbolically – the Sokhumi massacre day. The participants observed a minute of silence in commemoration of the victims of the war.
The presentation was attended by MPs, executive authorities, as well as the diplomatic corps, international organizations and civil society. The report has been developed within the UN Women project “Accelerating Implementation of Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Georgia”, funded by CSSF.
In September, support for Ukrainian refugees was actively carried out. The organization has developed a new method of assistance. Instead of a prepared package (food, hygiene products and household chemicals), supermarket vouchers were purchased and vouchers for different amounts were distributed to the beneficiaries.
This month, 8 new people were added to our database (totally 331 people). 180 vouchers were purchased for them and assistance was provided to 110 families (15 families – for the second time).
Ukrainian refugees were also provided with other assistance in accordance with their needs: we paid rent for 6 families; three families received money for utilities; one oncology patient was financed with 647 GEL for tests, and the other one, purchased medicines worth 286 GEL.
Our support service also cares about the psychological condition of Ukrainians: one of the beneficiaries attends courses of polymer clay at a day rehabilitation center, and she really likes the format of the courses. 6 women took part in psychological training held in Batumi. The psychologist of our organization, Manana Gotsiridze, continued to conduct individual consultations for a month.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Peace starts with you - with this slogan, the Women Initiative Group of the village Pakhulani - Tsalenjikha municipality celebrated the International Day of Peace. According to the women, peace has no alternative. They also talked about their role and capabilities.
International Day of Peace was celebrated by the Youth Initiative Group of the village Didinedzi - Zugdidi municipality. They once again talked about the importance of peace and the role of young people in peace processes. "The Day of Peace should be dedicated to the strengthening of the idea of peace...this day will be a reminder to all peoples, that the United Nations is a living tool in the peace process and it should serve each of us and remind us of our commitment, peace is above all interests and differences" – members of Didinedzi Women Initiative Group spoke about this important issue written in the resolution and adopted by the United Nations in 1981.
Peace begins with us, we all create local peace, that's why we need to join forces to create global peace - Tskaltubo Women Initiative Group joined the celebration of the International Day of Peace with this position. Members of Tskaltubo youth group held peaceful actions. During the information meetings, they talked about the role of young people in peace processes.
The meeting held by Kutaisi Youth Club was dedicated to the International Day of Peace. The leader of the club made a presentation. The members received information about the history and significance of this day. The second part of the presentation was devoted to the peaceful resolution of conflicts and the discussion of ways to resolve them. Members of Kutaisi Women Initiative Group gathered to discuss the dynamics of the advocacy process. According to the advocacy plan, the members of the group are ready to work on the chosen problem. They also met the director of the target school, introduced the purpose of cooperation and set a future plan.
International Day of Peace is celebrated on September 21. The Women Initiative Group of the village Koki - Zugdidi municipality joined the campaign. "Let’s make a promise, that we will teach our children tolerance and respect of others. Let's fight for peace and protect it as far as we can" - these were the main messages voiced by the women. As for the youth initiative group of the village Koki, on the International Day of Peace, they once again mentioned that poverty, exhaustible natural resources, inequality, corruption, racism and xenophobia are the best ground for conflict between different groups. According to them, the International Day of Peace is dedicated to the fight against these reasons of conflicts!
With our thoughts we are often either in the past or in the future, but in reality everything happens only “here and now”. Mindful person pays attention to the present moment and lives fully.
Mindfulness means full concentration of attention “here and now”.
Mainly this method was used at the training held in Batumi and with our help, 6 Ukrainian women from Kutaisi went to participate in it.
During the training, interesting issues were raised: how to overcome anxiety, how to calm down and love yourself, etc. The women learned a number of exercises. They were satisfied with the training, since this is everything that each of them and their family members need before returning home.
Similar trainings will be conducted with other groups.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
